Small Story 125 Vedantham ATale of character and dedication.

Small Story 125. "Vedantham: A Tale of Character and Dedication"** Lakshman, a retired headmaster, led an active life in Bengaluru, surrounded by a circle of friends who shared his passion for deep conversations. Alongside his wife, Lakshmi, and their only son, Bharath, a gifted writer, Lakshman enjoyed the tranquility of his post-retirement life. Bharath, an M.A. Lit. gold medalist, had a natural flair for writing and had already published 124 books by the time he was 26. His stories, especially adored by women, focused on real-life struggles and family dynamics. As Bharath worked on his 125th book, his soon-to-be wife, Malathy, a doctor studying in Mysore, encouraged him to finish it on the eve of their wedding. She had a special reason for this: she wanted him to complete the book titled *Vedantham*, inspired by her admiration for the late actor Sivaji Ganesan’s *Uyarnthamanithan* (his 125th film), which had deeply touched her. Malathy believed the completion of this book on their wedding day would symbolize the strength and moral integrity that they both valued. On the day of their wedding, as the celebrations unfolded with relatives, friends, and well-wishers in attendance, Malathy took a moment during the reception to express her gratitude. With warmth and love, she addressed the guests, thanking them for their blessings and sharing the significance of the day. She revealed her hidden motive: "I have always admired the character and greatness of the late Sivaji Ganesan, especially his 125th film, *Uyarnthamanithan*. Just as that film carried an important message of character and moral integrity, I wanted my husband, Bharath, to complete his 125th book with the same values. He has truly become my *Uyarnthamanithan*—a tall man of character and achievement. I thank him for his dedication, even though I never told him about my wishes." With their marriage celebrated and the book *Vedantham* completed, the couple left for a honeymoon in Switzerland, ready to begin a new chapter in their lives—both personal and professional. K.Ragavan 14-1-25